Clara Ann “Paeai-Pai” Hisatake Cox

Claira Ann Paeai Hisatake, later known as Claire Cox, was born to Jack Joseph Hisatake (1921 - 1987) and Lealofisa Matalena Hisatake (1922 - 20110). Both parents were born in American Samoa. Claira had three brothers, including Jack and Joseph. Claira Hisatake married Jon Claybourne "Big Jon" Cox (1942 - 2007) in June of 1968 in Hawaii. They had one daughter, Leah. A teacher and still married, Claire Cox was the girlfriend of Hollywood actor James Stacy of "Lancer" fame. The couple were taking a motorcycle ride in the Hollywood Hills when they were struck by a drunk driver. Claire died the next day and James lost his left arm and left leg as a result of the accident. However, the accident report does not blame a drunk driver as the cause of the accident. The city of Los Angeles was sued because " As they - Claire and James - entered a sharp curve on the mountain road, their motorcycle was struck by a car coming from the opposite direction" . . . the city attorney advised that "the road at the scene of the accident narrows from 21 ft to less than 11 ft. . . . " and "although there is a traffic sign warning motorists of a curve, there was no indication the pavement narrowed . . . nor any lane dividers" . He thought that because of these factors, the city was liable. In 1976, the Los Angeles City counsel voted to give a a $200,00 settlement to James Stacy. Claire's heirs received $25,000. When filing the suit against the city, James Stacy asked for $10 million and the heirs of Mrs. Cox asked for $800,000. When she died, Claire was still the wife of Jon C. Cox, who was living in Sherman Oaks CA and was the mother of Leah Cox. She was also survived by her father Jack, her mother, Lealofisa and her 3 brothers. Claire lost her life in the accident and the course of James Stacy's life was drastically altered. To see what happened to him next, see James Stacy’s Life Changed Forever in 1973.